roccobike

mkeller, that is beautiful. I don't intend to keep the Ross I've got. But if I ever get a Signature in my size (56 cm) and in good shape, like yours, it will stay with me. That 48cm Signature I had rode beautifully, but it was just too small. It wasn't quite as nice as yours.

mkeller234

Thank you, it wasn't that way when I got it. Unfortunately that one was way to big for me so I sold it. I was so tempted to strip the golden arrow components for myself but felt too guilty to do it. Thanks again for the compliment, I am still learning so it's reassuring.

Before, rusty and crusty...and that horrible schwinn seat:

brandenjs

That is probably the best looking Ross I have ever seen. Very good job..I love the picture setting also.

Bikedued

Yep, very nice! I don'tt think I've seen the golden arrow brake calipers before? Every bike I've had with it had another Shimano, or Dia Compe branded brakes. Sometimes in the case of Raleigh, the crank is a Raleigh, and brakes are not GA. My blue Super Course is that way.,,,,BD

mkeller234

Thanks again, it was a tough one to part with. The only thing that made the decision easier was that it was way to big for me. Still, I was very tempted to strip the parts for myself.

I sold it to a local guy, his brother tipped him off to it and seemed very excited about it. I thought the bikes paint was immaculate for an 85, with only minor chipping on the chain stays. It seemed like the buyer was disappointed with the paint, which in turn worried me. I traded some emails with his brother later asking him to try and make sure that his brother does not do anything drastic about the paint, maybe just some touchup.

I hope to stay in touch with them, I offer free tune-ups on all of the bikes I sell and I hope they take me up on it.

-Matt

colnajoe

This is my "Jim Redcay" Ross Signature Model........

I worked at a LBS in Sandwich, IL and bought this new from the shop when they closed down. I think it was 1982. The 1982 Ross catalog lists this as the touring model. Shimano components are code dated 1980, and the shimano hubs are dated 1981, so maybe its an early Redcay/Ross build. I am putting new cables and housing on now. Shimano 600 AX bars, stem, seat post, brake levers. Shimano Deore down tube shifters, front and rear deraillers, triple deore crank, and wierd threaded oversized Deore pedals. The wheels are Araya rims with Shimano hubs with a little "oiler" port. The brakes are "gran compe" which is a little wierd! All is original except for the seat. I have owned it a couple of times, selling it and buying it back from friends who needed a bike, 3 times over the years. I cant find the original seat, lost over the years and moving 3 times. Would love to find one (hint, hint!) I hear the bike is sought after, and I have been offered a pretty good price in the past, but I haven't been able to part with it. I am now all caught up in the carbon fiber world (the wife and I have colnago C-50's) but something draws me back to this bike! I stop and stare at it everytime I walk by it. The only flaw, if it is one, is the Reynolds 531 tubing sticker. Just thought I would share.................

Picchio Special

Sweet. Super clean - that BB shell is really lovely. Great bike.

colnajoe

NOTE* Just found that the original seat was a Avocet touring II, anyone????

Picchio Special

I agree that the bike should be reunited with the correct saddle - so if I dig one up, you'll send me the bike, right?

mkeller234

Wow, very nice bike. You have the real deal signature frame, I would definitely say that is sought after.

colnajoe

Ever in the area, You can take it for a spin! (with me right next to you!) It's a 58c c-t

colnajoe

I spoke to Tom Kellogg about my bike because I had a few questions. He took time out of his busy schedule to write me back. He stated that he left in the middle of '82 and that my "Redcay" signed frame might be a "Kellogg" frame. At his request, I took pic's of the right dropout and seatstay cap. He emailed back saying that in fact he built my frame! He explained that from the time he left, and Redcay took overat the Signature line, he already had a few frames built, but not painted. So Ross painted them, and put Redcays decal on the frame. So.....depending when your Signature was built, you might have a "Kellogg-Recay" like me.

Fibber

This past Saturday afternoon I did a search on Ross Professional Gran Tour, and read this thread start to finish (all 14 pages). I have to admit that under normal circumstances I wouldn't give Ross a second look based on my childhood experiences, but now have a new-found respect for the mark.

My dad's company did some advertising services for the Ross company back in the early/mid '70's, and out of the deal apparently came some free bicycles. Sometime around '75/'76 my father asked me to drive his Ford Galaxy to the factory loading bay in Far Rockaway and pick up a boxed bike waiting there, take it home, and assemble it for my sister. Needless to say, this kids bike didn't impress me.

This past weekend I responded to a Craigs List add for someone selling their bike collection. I didn't make it in time for the nice bikes, but did come away with a small box of misc parts brake and derailleur parts to feed my restoration projects. And perhaps as a portent of things to come, I grabbed a nice alloy drop bar & stem with '84 Diacomp brake levers that said "Ross" on it.

While driving further thru the neighborhood I spied a bike frame visible between units, and stopped to investigate. There I met the owner of maybe 15 vintage bikes, all (unfortunately) slowly rusting away outdoors. We got talking, and he offered me two Ross Professional Gran Tour models for $5. One had steel wheels and a cracked rear brake bridge, the other alloy rims and in overall better shape. Again, I have to admit that the Ross name was an immediate turn-off, but a look at the componentry and lugged frames quickly made me realize that they did make some better stuff. I couldn't transport them at the time, but do plan to go back during the week. Maybe between the two of them, I can construct one whole bike? Worse comes to worse, I strip them for components. Guess I can't loose for $5.

brandenjs

Yes, well worth $5. I've always said Ross does not get enough credit for some of the bikes they built. I had a Gran Tour that was too big for me so I sold it, but I would like to find another one such as one of the Signature bikes that are on this thread. I'll keep looking and will always be a fan..Grab those while you can..

spankyscissors

I just bought a ross gran tour II at a thrift store in the bronx for $30, needs new tubes and tires, but otherwise in perfect condition. from reading some of this thread i see a lot of up and down, some people have paid a lot less, and others a lot more. wondering, have i made a good purchase? from what i can figure out by looking at it, its a nice looking bike, was made in allentown, has shimano brake components, 1020 steel lug frame, quite heavy in comparison to my current ride. anyone have some input??

custermustache

I was looking for this thread - I have sold hte bike already, but I owned a Ross Central Park 3 speed, probably a 1970, because that was the year of the local bike license on the downtube.


Shifter




I almost pulled over yesterday becasue I saw a guy on a nice looking Ross mountian bike - the stem was the same color as the frame, and it was a good looking bike. I was sorely tempted to stop and bargain for it, but my wife said no.

bpeder

I had been following this thread for years and just re-visited to see what's up. First post though. I bought my Super Gran Tour XV in '82 and it still gets me to work and back everyday. It's good to see a community of riders that appreciate well made vintage USA stuff.

What's everybody think about stripping and re-painting? I took good care of my bike, (except for a short spell of time when it was in the hands of a thief - cops recovered it), but it has 27 years worth of dings and such. Once the paint is off, would it be appropriate to replace, say the flat piece of metal that the kickstand mounted on - with a tube? Or to add some braze-ons here and there for little modern conveniences?

I still think that the lines on that bike are the most graceful things... And it rides so well. I'm keeping my eyes open for these old beauties. I'd love to find a "signature" someday. Happy Trails!

custermustache

It is your bike - if you love it, strip it, braze it, and make it exactly what you want. After 27 years, you (and the bike) deserve it.

geekrunner

Very interesting history of Ross bicycles! I just picked up a Ross Signature 292s 58cm from Indianapolis CL. It is a very deep burgundy color with a cream colored headtube indicating Ross, built in Allentown, PA. The frame in general is in pretty good condition, with a few scratches and some other color stuff to rub off of it. The owner was apparently just beginning to flip bikes, as he originally listed the bike at $45, then when he got deluged with calls, he pulled his phone number from the listing and jacked the price up to $75. I'm not convinced he knew what he had. It was not all original, and had a sloppy bar wrap job. Component wise, it has Sugino GS 130bcd crank, Shimano 105 aero brake levers, Dia-Compe black single pivot sidepull brakes, black Suntour Sprint rear derailleur, an older Shimano silver front derailleur, black stem and drop bars, black alloy seat post. Wheelset has Mavic hubs laced to Araya hard anno semi-aero 700c rims.

I really like how it looks, but it is almost too small for me. I generally ride 60-62cm frames. As soon as I can get a better look at it and get pics, I'll post back.

geek

mycrows

Great thread.

I just bought a Ross "Adventura" (I think that's what it says, but the decal is really faded) from a craigslist ad for $25 (which, believe me, is a steal for anything with horizontal dropouts in Chicago). I'm planning to build it up as a single speed to ride next winter. I haven't gone over it but it looks to be a pretty low-end bike (it has a chain guard, it's really heavy, possibly a one piece crank!) but I know it'll be fun to work on. If I remember to, I'll post before and after pictures.

decaboro

This has been a great thread, I too purchased a signature 292s just like the one one shown in the snow. Same colors and everything. I am excited to clean it up and put some pics of it on here. I have ridden it for the past few months and while I dont know much about serious bikes it rides great to me. It has some paint chips and I replaced a ratted out seat but I am suprised at how great the Golden arrow shimano parts look. I got it fairly cheap, $75, and planned on stripping it down and repainting but now have gotten real attached to its original look, especially after seeing the catalog pics of it.

decaboro

here are some pics of my Ross 292S like I mentioned above. I actually just rode it in a triathlon today and it did well for being 25 years old. I am sure there are some things that could be adjusted and tightened up but it held up well. Pics not best quality they are off my blackberry.

Scrape

Great thread! I was bored and tripped across this thread searching for info on my bike. I purchased it in the 80's and had it ever since. I'm sure it's a signature series Hi-Tech because it use to have a decal on the lower/rear frame member that said signature series in long hand style writing. It rubbed off over time from chain oil and shinning it all the time. It is 100% original except for missing the kick stand and losing it over the years. I love the bike but it has spent most of it's life hung up and sprayed down with silicone.

Scrape

Continued:

bpeder

Hey Scrape, nice bike! I think what you have there is a very clean original Ross Mt Hood. It might also be a Mt Whitney. I don't think Ross built any production signature series MTBs although I'm pretty sure they built up some custom stuff for their mid-80s team, "The Ross Indians".

There are some other places on the web where you can find old catalog scans. At <a href="https://www.velobase.com/Resource_Tools/CatalogScans.asp">Velo,</a> You'll find scans from a 1985 catalog, pages one and two with images of your bike. You might also get a kick out of a forum thread over at MTB dot com under their "classic vintage retro" heading titled, (something like) "mid 80s Ross MTBs - differences" I have a post showing my own Ross Mt Hood in that thread.

There's not a ton of stuff out there on these bikes, but enough to keep you happy and to reinforce what you probably already know, which is that the old Ross bikes were well made American beauties, strong, smooth and fun to ride. Have fun! ~pb